Today, in line
with the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly at its 63rd
session held in December 2008, we join the rest of the world to
appreciate our unarmed humanitarian workers who
more often than others are exposed to extreme dangers in difficult
circumstances. It is our respect and gratitude for their contributions
that has led the international communicate toto designate August 19 as
World Humanitarian Day.
As we continue
to urge for more support and appreciate people who put their sweat and
blood on the line for the whole of humanity, I enjoin Nigerians to
continue to sustain and uphold the qualities
of compassion and selflessness to the less fortunate people. I believe
that it is fitting to take the time for prayer and reflection to
remember the victims of conflict and other complex humanitarian crisis,
and the brave men and women around the world who
selflessly and unflinchingly come to their aid.
This year’s
World Humanitarian Day theme is “One Humanity”, this theme manifests my
favourite definition of humanitarianism, which is “the ethical doctrine
that humanity’s obligations are concerned
wholly with the welfare of the human race.”
For the past
year, I have closely monitored the severe humanitarian crisis in
North-East Nigeria. My visits to Borno State have made me keenly aware
of the tremendous challenge the situation poses
to our domestic and international response capabilities. The
coordination and material challenges of this area are unprecedented in
our country’s history, therefore, the crisis demands an unprecedented
intervention from Nigeria and the international community.
For the sake of
the thousands of families that have had their lives uprooted by the
terrorist actions of Boko Haram, I offer the following recommendations
which are intended to begin the relief, recovery
and rehabilitation of the North East region.
First, I call
for a North East Nigeria International Donors Conference, which will
review the interventions thus far, identify the coordination and
service-delivery gaps, and renew the calls for donors
to honour their pledges.
Secondly, the
Senate will conduct a Public Hearing on North East Nigeria for all
stakeholders in the humanitarian community, with the goal of developing a
sustainable framework for the situation there
and future complex emergencies.
Upon the
resumption of the 8th Senate in September, we have prioritised the
passage of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) Bill. This
legislation is intended to be the primary rehabilitation
and development program for the affected areas.
With the NEDC
and the ongoing oversight and advocacy effort of the Senate, and the
National Assembly as a whole, we are working as hard as we can to
provide protection and relief for the North East.
On World
Humanitarian Day, we want the internally displaced people (IDPs) of
North East Nigeria; the brave domestic (SEMA and NEMA) and international
aid agencies; and the security services to know
that we are all one Nigeria, and we must stand together during these
challenging times.
Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki
President of the Senate and Chairman, National Assembly
Federal Republic of Nigeria
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